Sarah and I arrived in Stalybridge for the start of the Stockport Community Cycling Club Diggle ride. We found ourselves in the unusual position of this being our first club ride in nearly two months.

It was a fresh Saturday morning as we set off on the local cycle network route known as the Yellow Brick Road. Gill was leading. Today’s route was a modified version of the Uppermill ride.

This led to a sharp drop down to Grove Road.

We then turned and followed another short path through to Crowswood Drive.

This road climbed up to Huddersfield Road. We followed this for a short while to Mossley.

This took us down to Greenfield, the start of the Rishworth Moor cycle ride.

At Greenfield we joined the old Saddleworth Linear line.

Part of this section also forms part of the Pennine Bridleway.

Leaving the path, we picked up Wool Road, climbed up this then turned into another section of Huddersfield Road.

Another turn took us to Diggle.

And a little further on we arrived at the end of one of Standedge Tunnels. The other three are railway tunnels.

This is the Huddersfield Narrow Canal we were following.

A little further along and we arrived at our coffee stop – Grandpa Greene’s.

It’s a few years since we have cycled around Diggle, and last time we passed it was just a little ice-cream hatch that was occasionally open … if you were lucky. It’s grown a bit!

The food was fine, and included gluten-free options for Sarah. Definitely worth a visit.

After the coffee stop, we continued along the canal for a while.

We passed the Brownhill Countryside Centre and under the nearby railway viaduct.

Past Uppermill, and back to Greenfield.

Unfortunately, Ian G had picked up a puncture. While he was pumping the tyre up to try and get round, Andy S also took the opportunity to pump up Gill’s tyres too.

It quick stop didn’t work. Half a mile further down the road and a full puncture repair became necessary.

Back on the road, we joined Manchester Road and followed this through Mossley to Heyrod.

Finally, we turned down Springbank Lane and rejoined the Huddersfield Narrow canal.

Our route had covered 15 miles. For Sarah and I, it had been good to get out with the club again and enjoy a temporary rest from all the other things going on in our lives.

You can view the Diggle route below: